It sure looks like the Kansas City Chiefs will once again be without their starting running back when they take on the Houston Texans this weekend. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday afternoon that running back Jamaal Charles will be listed as doubtful for the game, making it unlikely that Charles will suit up.
Charles has been out since last October, when he tore his ACL for the second time in his career. He's recently been working with the scout team in practice, and linebacker Derrick Johnson said this week that Charles is almost back to 100 percent.
Luckily for the Chiefs, Spencer Ware has proven himself capable of operating as the No. 1 back in Charles' absence. Ware totaled 199 yards and a touchdown on his 18 touches against the Chargers in Week 1 after taking his 72 carries for an average of 5.6 a pop in 2015.
He may find himself facing tougher sledding against Houston -- which of course has J.J. Watt leading the charge on the defensive line -- given that the Chiefs will also be without guards Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Parker Ehinger for the game. They'll be replaced by Zach Fulton and Jah Reid.